AOS says thank you to Austin Dolan, and his wife Imelda, after his five years as the AOS representative in the Port of Blyth...
Colleagues from the AOS in the north east region came together with Mgr Ronnie Brown (AOS Trustee) and Mr Eamonn Delaney, Chair of the National Board of Trustees, (who travelled up especially from Guildford), to express their appreciation and thanks to Austin Dolan who is standing down after five years as the AOS volunteer representative ministering to seafarers in the Port of Blyth.
Eamonn (left) presents Austin with a Certificate of Achievement
Following the usual Saturday evening Mass at St Wilfrid’s in Blyth on 2nd February, which was concelebrated by parish priest Fr Philip Quinn and Mgr Brown, Austin was presented with a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Chairman and Bishop Tom Burns, the Episcopal Promoter for the AOS in England and Wales. In addition, he was given a framed copy of the Icon of Our Lady Star of the Sea, plus some personal gifts and mementoes.
Presenting these items, and flowers to Austin’s wife Imelda, Mr Delaney paid great tribute to Austin for five years of unstinting service when he has touched the lives of thousands of seafarers, providing pastoral and practical care, and assisting Catholic seafarers, of whom there are many, with access to Mass and the sacraments during their stay in the port.
Austin Dolan has played such a key role in the Port of Blyth, as the only representative from any seafarers society (assisted by his daughter Joyce when available), that his contribution was recognised in 2005 when he was officially commissioned as a Lay Chaplain by Bishop Kevin during the AOS annual NE Regional pilgrimage to Holy Island.
Austin remains the only volunteer to date to have been commissioned in this manner, although it is possible that others may follow in the future.
Whilst contingency plans are in place to maintain a level of cover in the Port of Blyth, the AOS is still endeavouring to secure the services of a volunteer(s) to take up where Austin left off.
Full training and support is given and we can guarantee that the work is interesting and fulfilling.
Anybody interested should contact Tony McAvoy, AOS NE Regional Co-ordinator on 0771 392 4504.
See also Diocesan Societies-Apostleship of the Sea